An Arrow's Path Complete

Title: An Arrow's Path
Chapter Five
Author: Sarah
Co-Author: Ra Amon
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Rating: NC-17
Warning: graphic sex between two males. Slash.
Disclaimer: Tolkien owns them. I own the original ideas and characters. I make no money from this story. The Legolas and Gimli I write belong completely and solely to Tolkien. They are in no way related to the movie characters.
Feedback: Yes, please.
saraharizonaanne@hotpop.com blackkoda@yahoo.com
Author notes: Book verse. Thank you to Cheysuli for the encouragement. Thank you to helptheold and Nefertiti for the beta work. Thank you to Ra Amon for all her work and to everyone who gave me feedback.
Archive: Axe and Bow. Others please ask.


Gimli lay back in his bed at Helm's Deep, as nervous as a green youth. After the trip to Isengard and back to Helm's Deep with only the fantasy of his elf, with just the memories of satin-like skin and flower-soft kisses, Gimli was flushed at the reality of it. Feverish, he watched as Legolas disrobed. Legolas had moved his belongings into Gimli's room with one statement, "I trust this will be alright." and Gimli had to admit to himself that it was more than alright, it was right!

Legolas sang to himself softly, filling the room with a lyrical air. Trying to seem demure and oblivious to the eyes trained upon him, he was indeed quite aware of the show that he was putting on for his beloved. Across the room, Gimli's breathing was as loud and raspy as a bellows, but as Legolas shed the last of his clothing he decided to tempt his lover just a bit more. Standing nude before Gimli's sight, Legolas raised his fingers and began to unbraid his hair.

Chewing his lips as Legolas worked free strands of gold, Gimli was already aroused beyond measure. His eyes perusing the lengthy, muscular frame of his beloved, glowing pearl in the
moonlight, Gimli pushed the coverlet back and patted the mattress. "Quit your games, elf and come!"

"Very well, my dwarf," Legolas grinned. Throwing his hair off his shoulders, he strode toward the bed. He was no less aroused than Gimli, and it was apparent in his stride. His sex weighing heavily between his thighs, Legolas welcomed the full softness of the bed. No sooner had he climbed up and under the covers, did he find himself bound by the iron grip of his dwarven lover. Firm, soft lips fastened upon his neck, sucking first then kissing. Legolas reeled from the sudden contact, not sure whether to sigh from relief or scream with happiness. He snuggled against the stout, powerful frame beside his, entwining his long legs about Gimli's thicker ones. It was then that he realised that Gimli was partially clothed and began to laugh.

Gimli pulled away to eye his lover. "What?"

"Mmmm, nothing my modest one," Legolas quipped as he lifted the blanket to peek at the loincloth draped about Gimli's hips.

With a huff, Gimli disregarded the small interruption and stole upon Legolas anew, this time capturing the tip of an ear to suckle upon. His fingers roamed about his lover's flesh, caressing it to warmth while his tongue tortured Legolas' ear with abandon.

"Ohhh," Legolas cried straining against the barrel-like muscles of Gimli's arms. It was too quick, too hot; in mere seconds he had been set to trembling like a leaf in a torrent. "Wait, beloved," he gasped.

Gimli backed off with one last dip into his love's ear. Watching Legolas shudder, he hissed with his urge to continue, "What is it, sweet elf?"

With little more than the strength to smile, Legolas tried to gather himself upon the curve of Gimli's shoulder. For days he had longed to coil his naked form about Gimli's and to revel in the hirsute softness of the dwarf's body. Although he hadn't been far from Gimli during the trip; intimacy had to be held at bay for the burdens of war. Legolas wanted nothing more than to savour the closeness of his lover. "We have a few hours, Gimli. Besides, I've been thinking. You like blonde hair don't you?"

Gimli frowned at the question, not sure of its relevance. Raising his fingers to sift through the flaxen sunshine of Legolas' tresses, he nodded, "I hadn't realised it before but aye, I do. I adore your hair."

Legolas cocked his head to the side and offered tentatively. "Eomer has blond hair."

Gimli ran the statement through his mind slowly. Surely, Legolas wasn't implying what Gimli imagined but sure enough his elf's blue eyes were searching, waiting for his answer. "I talked to
Eomer barely a quarter of an hour. We were discussing the Glittering caves and mining and -"

Legolas ran his fingers underneath Gimli's beard to brush the line of his throat. Interrupting with a purr, he added, "As long as caves are *all* you are thinking of mining, Gimli."

Licking his lips as Legolas' warning silenced him; Gimli overcame his surprise at the lovely creature in his arms. "You're spending too much time with me. You're starting to sound as jealous as any dwarf." Leaning over to place a consoling kiss upon pressed, pouting ones, Gimli felt Legolas' smile blossom. "I love your hair," he breathed against his lover's mouth. "It belongs to you and you are an elf. It is not the same as human hair."

There was no response from Legolas.

Gimli hoped the matter was solved and so did his hands which had taken the opportunity to wander down over Legolas' flanks.

Legolas replied, "I didn't stay with the fellowship at night in Lothlorien."

Shutting his eyes, Gimli wondered to himself exactly when Legolas had been stricken with utter madness.

"What? There are plenty of blonde elves in Lorien," Legolas quipped, not seeing anything wrong in his line of questioning.

Groaning, Gimli didn't open his eyes. He didn't say a word. His hands stilled upon Legolas' side.

"I'm only repeating what you said," Legolas snapped, upset at being ignored. He longed for things to be sure and established with them. The emotions, the fire and passion between them were far too frightening to exist without understanding. Pulling slightly off Gimli's delectably distracting body, he continued, "You stated that you liked elven hair and I-"

Gimli's eyes snapped open as his hand darted about Legolas' waist to keep him close. "Do you realise that if I didn't love you so much I'd volunteer for watch upon the wall?" He didn't bother waiting for an answer as he continued, "You don't truly believe what you are saying. Do you? That I fancy another even after I have allowed you to lay claim to my soul and body?"

Cringing at his own rash behaviour, Legolas felt Gimli's declaration burning at his ears. "I suppose not."

"You *suppose* not?" Throwing his hands in the air, Gimli sat up. He was desperately trying to hold onto his temper but Legolas was trying it dearly.

"Why don't you just say yea or nay," Legolas pouted, jerking the blankets up to cover his nude form. Without Gimli's warmth near by, he feared he would freeze.

"Because you should trust me more and because it makes no sense," Gimli answered.

Things were not turning out, as Legolas had wanted, mournfully he eyed the distance separating their bodies. "Gimli, my dwarven mountain lord, do not be upset with me. We were not lovers at the time and I simply wished to know."

"Then you shouldn't ask," Gimli huffed, attempting to sound irritated but failing miserably. His heart would not tolerate cruelty with his love. "But your answer is no. The elves in Lothlorien tolerated me because of the Lady. You know that."

Moving his hand from underneath the coverlet, Legolas idly stroked Gimli's side as he tried to work his way up to an apology. He didn't want Gimli to be upset, but he also desired the truth to be easy between them. "Some of them had never seen a dwarf before and found you quite interesting."

Turning to the soft caress against his ribs, Gimli eyed Legolas suspiciously. Legolas was indeed a whimsical creature. Smiling, eyes shining softly, his shield brother seemed to be trying to soothe him. Dwarves were not a verbal race, and everything Gimli longed to say, he yearned to declare with fingers, touch and embrace. Lying back down, Gimli pulled the slender body of his lover to him. Legolas came easily, willingly into his embrace and for that Gimli had to smile. "I never asked your opinion on females, you crazed elf. Most of the women of Rohan have..."

"Stop it," Legolas laughed as he fitted a thigh between Gimli's legs. However the throbbing weight of Gimli's cock stole all humour from his mind as he swooned, "I love you. We could find better ways to spend our time."

Gimli sighed as he felt the weight of Legolas lay atop him and press over him. The aforementioned tresses tickled his chest as Legolas placed teasing kisses upon his flat breast. "It isn't because of your hair, elf," Gimli said, "Although, I find your hair beautiful beyond belief, it is not why I love you."

Propping his chin up on Gimli's chest, Legolas grinned, "Then why?"

Growling out of lust rather than disappointment, Gimli urged Legolas to straddle him. The gasp that coloured the air was not from one but from them both as Legolas' naked cock met Gimli's erection through the loincloth. Seizing Legolas gently by the neck, Gimli tugged the warrior down to his lips, his tongue welcomed inside the supple wetness of his beloved's mouth. Their kiss was deep and wild, with Gimli duelling hungrily against Legolas' flickering tongue. The match was won as he tricked the sensitive muscle between his lips and sucked upon it hungrily. Above him, Legolas struggled hopelessly as his hips rose and gracelessly fell against his dwarf. Gimli could only sustain so much sweetness as was Legolas' taste, so much shuddering as his elf's hot cock rubbing against his own threatened to break him in twain.

When he released Legolas' tongue, Gimli strove to catch his breath against Legolas' shoulder. "You have a good heart, my elf. You could refuse to involve yourself with mortals. Instead, you permit yourself to care knowing it will bring sorrow. You are exceptional at battle and there is none other I would have by my side. And." Gimli paused as he took Legolas' hand in his and led it down between his thighs where a heated dampness had leaked through the fabric of his loincloth. "You make me burn hotter than any kiln or mountain fire. Your kind is best at rhetoric; mine is best at action, elf. Let me show you my love."

Shaking nervously, his lips flushed and slightly swollen from kissing, Legolas' gaze fell to the wet cloth surrounding the hard, width and length of Gimli's shaft. Unconsciously, he closed his fingers about it stroking gently, timidly. It both aroused and frightened him to imagine such an instrument inside him. Gimli was nearly twice his thickness although not as long. Legolas contemplated his want for only seconds, before Gimli pushed down his loincloth and gave Legolas even more to awake fears.

Tossing the irritating garment to the floor, Gimli pressed Legolas back and climbed atop him this time. Using his weight to pin Legolas to the bed, Gimli was determined to vanquish any doubts the archer might harbour. Slipping a hand between his beloved's satiny thighs, he took hold of Legolas' member and stroked a whimpering string of Sindarin from Legolas' mouth. He watched as fair cheeks burned with colour as Legolas' eyes shuddered closed with his passion. Breathing hotly over one tight brown nipple, Gimli said, "Just to prove that I do not love you for your hair, I'll agree to your cutting it all off. I could even find Eowyn. I'm sure she will know where I can get a pair of
scissors."

"Nay," Legolas cried out, taking Gimli's arm in a rather forceful hold. His legs spread in agreement as his hips rose to thrust into his lover's palm anew. "You will do no such thing. Your point is proven," Legolas insisted. Nothing short of an army of Saruman's orcs could convince him to give up such a pool of ecstasy as he was submerged in.

"We are alone now. I would prefer to spend my time enjoying you." Slipping his free hand underneath a pillow Gimli retrieved the oil he had wittingly stashed there before Legolas came to bed. He poured some of the fragrant liquid over his fingers as well as Legolas' cock before continuing his massage.

Legolas' answer was a broken whimper as he moved within Gimli's hold. "And I you," he muttered as he reached to cover Gimli's hand with his own. Frustration stole upon him
when Gimli moved his hand away. That frustration vanished as Gimli pressed a thick finger down over his balls, underneath and then. "Ayye, Gimli." Legolas exclaimed as he felt the teasing intrusion.

Gimli's eyes grew wide as Legolas blossomed with movement, clenching upon his finger readily. Thrusting in and out, Gimli added another finger and heard Legolas make a sound he was sure the guards on the other side of the fortress would recognize. "You know," Gimli raised a brow in question, "if you are that responsive to the least touch, I shall have to watch closely that no one touches you."

"Your fault." Breath as ragged as an autumn wind, Legolas bent forward to kiss Gimli. He wanted nothing more than a taste, perhaps to nuzzle the auburn of the warrior's beard. Then Gimli's
fingers touched something, rubbed that spot deep within him and Legolas fell back to the mattress, shuddering.

Gimli knew what it was his lover desired needed. Angling himself down on the bed so that he could kiss Legolas while his fingers explored, he fondled Legolas' pleasure centre anew and said, "My fault?"

In his impassioned blindness, Legolas was grateful to feel the familiar sensation of Gimli's lips pressed against his neck. Still he preferred them upon his own. With pecking, desperate kisses to
Gimli's forehead he whimpered, "Yes. Your fingers are different, love. Your skin is just right to me. Dwarven hands."

Gimli had the distinct impression that Legolas was paying him for the comment about elven hair, but it didn't matter. All his mind could process was the sweet cries of his lover, and the silken furnace between supple thighs.

"Besides, I." Legolas' voice caught in his throat. His body was vibrating with every subtle push of Gimli's fingers. Speech became more difficult by the second as he finished his sentence with, "I am usually clothed."

"Eh," Gimli questioned hotly against Legolas' throat. "So I should watch you closely about my dwarven kin, elf?"

Too heated to argue, Legolas took hold of Gimli's wrist and pushed until the dwarf withdrew. He had had enough of teasing and games, his body was on edge yet waiting and Legolas knew what he was waiting for. Pushing fear aside, he urged Gimli to move between his open thighs.” Nay, Gimli. I am yours and yours only." To make sure that his handsome lover understood what he meant, Legolas spread his legs out, took Gimli's imposing shaft in hand and stroked it. "Be silent and have me. I burn so with need for you."

Gimli froze, intimidated by Legolas' offer. Legolas was by far more slender and lighter than any dwarven maid and the thought of penetrating the elf frightened him immensely. From his own experience upon Legolas' arrow, he was aware that their joining would be painful. He also perceived that it could be pleasurable, but having tested the rosy entrance to his elf's body he was afraid to ease his lust upon his love. With uneasy humour, Gimli muttered, "Um. Prepared to show me your stance?"

Picking up the bottle of oil, Legolas poured more upon Gimli's shaft and with his other hand worked the lubrication onto the hot swollen flesh. Willing himself to sound confident through his own nervousness, Legolas said, "Yes."

Biting his lip, Gimli felt the bed shift and Legolas urging him forward. The first touch of his cock against Legolas' being was like being struck by a hammer. All of the air in his lungs sprang from nervous lips as he hissed, "Legolas, you are so tight, I dare not."

Legolas begged, "Please Gimli. Do not deny me this." There was only so much that Legolas could do without the dwarf's aid. "Please, beloved."

There was no way Gimli could deny his lover's plea. Blue eyes glossy with emotion stared up at him expectantly, willing him to move forward. As the head of his shaft met with Legolas' entry, he went slowly, carefully pressing within. At first Legolas' tense body would not permit him entrance. He considered withdrawing but then Legolas relaxed. As the broad head of his arrow breached Legolas' body, Gimli heard his love moan. He himself moaned, certain that he had never experienced anything more acutely taxing upon his senses. Underneath him, Legolas was a portrait of determination; eyes squeezed shut and brow wrinkled. Upon Legolas' face however there also the slightest upward curve of the mouth. Legolas desired and was willing to accept him no matter the strain. With each heartbeat he slid a fraction more inside the satin and heated channel. It was nothing short of divine torture, he thought. "My elf, you burn like a mountain's rage!"

Every nerve, every muscle in Legolas' body trembled with the intensity of being stretched so wide. There was pain, much of it, but he concentrated on the love he was offering to Gimli. The sensation of complete inhabitation was new to him. There was no escape from the girth seated deep inside him, throbbing so that Legolas could feel the rhythm of Gimli's thundering pulse. He felt claimed, possessed and vibrantly alive at once. His hands flailed outward, searching for Gimli's arms before clasping them tightly. "Yours."

Held secure in Legolas' body, Gimli felt the same. He belonged to this elf with every breath and inhalation. "Ahh Legolas, you've no idea -" Speech failed Gimli as Legolas' grasp pulled him down to cover silken flesh. It was that movement which triggered the first blow to Gimli's consciousness. As he moved forward, so did his shaft buried inside Legolas. Their embrace was a bit awkward due to the height difference and when he shifted to set it right, first back then within, Gimli lost all thought, all control.

Legolas had just become accustomed to being one, to harbouring the flesh of his lover when a single thrust lifted him from the bed. He would have screamed if he had the breath, he would have braced himself if his muscles hadn't gone weak, but Legolas was helpless to defend against the girth striking deeply within him. Gimli's width seemed to cover that one spot. Pleasure the likes of which he was unfamiliar with burst from inside him and rippled outwards. Another thrust and his perfect vision failed. Another quickly followed that one and somewhere in between jarring strokes, Legolas found that although breathing was difficult, screaming was perfect.

Gimli would have given a thought to reminding Legolas of the many people at Helm's Deep. Surely half the fortress had to be aware of what they were doing. Gimli would have, but he had his own groaning to contend with. Once set in motion, Gimli could not stop. The hot, clenching bliss of Legolas' body spurred his hips to shove faster and harder, each clash and slide of their bodies
bringing him closer to his end. Gimli knew he wasn't going to last long. His balls had been aching to spill the moment Legolas pulled him atop. In his mind something about the endurance and steadfast quality of the dwarven race occurred to him, but it was swiftly decimated as Legolas shattered and thrashed underneath him, spilling with screams even higher than he had believed possible.

Hot, slick essence splashed across his belly as Legolas came. Drifting down from so tumultuous a height, he twitched with every exasperated pulse, breathing was almost painful. Gimli thrust only twice more, before Legolas felt the searing seed of the dwarf explode within him. Above Gimli
arched, giving Legolas everything he had with words of love upon his lips. Legolas so wanted to tug Gimli to him, to embrace and smother his love with thousands of kisses and endearments, but he had not the strength. As Gimli withdrew from his sweetly aching frame, Legolas was glad that Gimli had strength left to draw him tightly into an embrace.

They were both beyond exhaustion, and could do nothing but gasp against each other's shoulders, but it was enough.

*************************************

Legolas awoke to fingers toying in his hair. As his eyes settled upon the dwarf's dark orbs, Legolas beamed with happiness. His body was still sore, but the ache was a good one, the one of
possession. *If only every eve could be so,* he thought snuggling deeper into the furry warmth of Gimli's frame. He had never really been one to be possessive, but with the lover in his arms the need to do so was so strong that it frightened him. The mere thought of losing Gimli brought a frown to his face. "Gimli, love?"

"Aye, lover."

"It was because of Elrohir and Elladan."

"What was?"

"I was telling them of the battle. I was talking about when Aragorn told me that he had been separated from you. I informed Aragorn that I needed to search for arrows. It was true but I also
needed to be alone with my worry over you. And, Elladan...I think it was Elladan, it is hard to discern between the two."

Gimli felt relieved now. He had been quite distressed when upon meeting Elrond's sons, he could not tell them apart. It displeased him to not be able to discern one elf from another.

"He said, 'you speak of this dwarf as if he is a lover.' What was I to say? We haven't discussed what is to be told. So I just said, 'he is.' Was this alright?"

"I wasn't planning on denying it. Not that we could with all the noise we seem capable of." Gimli teased. "You did right."

Legolas laid his head against his dwarf's chest. Gimli began to run his fingers through the soft elven hair. He had a fondness for Legolas' locks just as the archer had a fondness for his beard. Gimli smiled to himself. Legolas' fingers had moved to his beard even while he had been thinking of it.

"They seemed to reckon that once you went home your kin would rid you of the notion of having an elf for a lover. And then I saw you conversing with Eomer...When I saw you speaking to Eomer, I started thinking. You will go home after the war and your family will tell you it is folly to love an elf. Maybe... I don't know. I was just aware I have no right to tell you not to be close to anyone. Especially your own people."

Gimli grinned. Legolas knew so little of dwarves. As he gazed down at the elf, however, his humour faded. Legolas was indeed quite worried. Years of distrust had caused this lack of knowledge and it was not good. "Legolas, I promised to travel with you should this all end well, did I not?"

"Yes, you did."

"After we visit Mirkwood, we will go to my home. Together," He promised. "It will not be easy. There will be suspicions as to why the son of King Thranduil wishes to visit. However, I will be at your side."

Gimli's words were true and endearing, yet Legolas couldn't help but wonder what they both would have to face. Gimli's people would possibly accept him as a warrior of the fellowship and as Gimli's comrade, but as his lover, Legolas wasn't sure they'd be quite *that* understanding. "But-"

Gimli cupped the fair cheek of his lover, trying to console the anxiousness he saw in azure eyes. "They will offer you a room in the guest quarters, and I will state to them, that you are staying with me."

"Is that going to be accepted?"

Gimli smiled as he anticipated the feuding of his father. Gloin would most likely be livid about his son's choice of a mate, but Gimli was no whelp. He comprehended that the only way to solve an argument among his kind was with equal measures of stubbornness and courage, and for Legolas, Gimli would never back down.

"I deem that my request will bring so much shock there won't be too much protest. It makes a statement." Gimli explained. "First, you will be staying in my home. It is a very modest, yet comfortable place. No room for guests. There are guest houses which a comrade would be expected to take. By that alone they will know. My bed at home is made for a dwarf. You wouldn't be comfortable there for long, which means we will have to bring one from the
guest quarters."

"Won't they say you should just move to the guest quarters?"

"No, to do so would imply that I have to choose between you and my home. When we settle, I will have to make a bed for us both. Something you will be at ease in but nearer to the floor for me. And if that doesn't declare where I feel you belong nothing will."

Gimli's words brought Legolas to life with possibilities. "Our own special bed? And they will consent to relocating a bed?"

"Aye, although my father will probably have a few unpleasant things to say about our union itself. Dwarves are a staunch race, but respect and honour are qualities that we prize. They *will* accept my decision for it is one of not just love but includes my honouring of you."

Blushing, Legolas leaned forth and kissed Gimli's cheek. His fingers wove into the heavy beard, as he questioned tensely, "This goes on among your people?"

Gimli chuckled as his fingers wandered down Legolas' spine. "It happens but it is usually not discussed much. One of the two moves in quietly with the other and it is acknowledged just as quietly. If I move you down with me, my people will consider that words of commitment have been spoken between us. Now, whether or not mingling occurs between elves and dwarves is another thing entirely," he joked. "Once the arrangements are clear, no dwarf I know will approach me afterwards."

*Or you either,* Gimli thought to himself. "And if I were to ask another, I would be thought of as an oath-breaker. It is a matter of honour. Remember that when we have our times of separation. Legolas, even if you wait and join me after I move to the Glittering Caves, I will still be the only dwarf with a bed big enough to fit an elf. It is I who will have to worry. As far as my people are concerned I will be bound to you but I doubt your kin will feel the same." Gimli sighed.

Legolas agreed that amongst the dwarven race it would be Gimli who would have to shoulder the burden of explanation, yet he knew that things might be no easier in his home. "My race has a bonding ceremony that is sometimes done by two males. We will do so when we are at Mirkwood if you consent. It will be accepted. My people will regard it as binding. It may not easy at my home either. My father will probably never recover but he will not stop us. And once the vows are spoken he will expect me to keep them. If we follow our plans, we will be closer during the times we are apart." Legolas sighed at the weight the future placed upon him. Although they had set down promises, plans and wishes, he felt there was only one thing left that needed to be said between them. "Promise me something now, Gimli."

"Whatever you want, I will give."

"Promise you'll never leave me over suspicion or doubt. Promise me that we will talk when one is upset or wondering."

Gimli lifted Legolas' chin. "Look at me." Gimli waited until the blue eyes met his own. "You have my word."

If anything, Legolas was certain that Gimli's word was as solid as mithril and he almost felt ashamed at having asked for such a pledge. Attributing his behaviour to his fluttering heart, Legolas relieved his worry. "And you have my word. I like not the idea of receiving a letter that declares you will see me no more."

"You still do not understand. If you receive such a letter you have only to appear at my gates and insist on seeing me. It would be considered your right. Having a bed to fit an elf and an angry, upset one at my gates would cause plenty of gossip. To refuse you would be to lose honour. That I will not do. And I declare to you now that I love you and would not so treat you. Should I feel I have cause to doubt your vows to me, I will come to you with my complaints."

Fixated upon one specific notion of Gimli's oath, Legolas raised a brow. "My right? I'll have rights?"

"Aye, but don't let it give you any ideas," Gimli warned with a soft smack to Legolas' bottom. "You are to behave yourself or you will be staying in guest quarters."

"I will not," Legolas laughed. "You will have rights too. However, I want to know if I have the right to do this?" Legolas ran his fingers through Gimli's beard and tickled his chin lovingly.

Gimli laughed quietly. "Aye."

"How about this?" Legolas moved up to kiss Gimli, finding his lover waiting for him. Legolas sighed softly against his lips.

The fire in Gimli's belly rekindled as Legolas' fingers played down his back and across his buttocks. It didn't surprise Gimli in the slightest that Legolas was hardening anew. Still Gimli was a bit apprehensive. Surely their next appearance in public would find them both as targets for stares and rumours. Clutching his lover tightly, Gimli gave a half-hearted command, "Legolas you must not scream this time."

"Ahhh, Gimli," Legolas sighed. "I can not promise it, my love."


Tbc